IMAGE IS EASY
Proverbs 20:6 NKJV
6 Most men will proclaim each his own goodness,
But who can find a faithful man?
Yep, we are back in Proverbs for this devotional. I read the tenth chapter of Revelation. That last angel seems very impressive and imposing. But not devotional material.
Today is a simple lesson from the practical voice of the Proverbs. The insight into human behavior never ceases to amaze me. And the short verse for today is a great look into how people act.
Most men will proclaim how good they are. That word 'goodness' is also translated as mercy, kindness, and acts of kindness. In other words, most people will proclaim how good and kind they are. However, many are speaking from their intentions. They intend to be good and kind. Or in our self-promoting social media-infused world, their acts of kindness are posted for all to see. I was in marketing for years. What many people are not aware of is that social media is filled with marketing posts. People post their good moments and carefully curate what is projected about themselves online. I am not critical, I understand. When our media team is picking photos of me to use for social media thumbnails, I don't ask for the worst picture possible. And now, if you are wondering, is that the best they can come up with in regard to pictures? Photoshop helps, but it doesn't work miracles.
The point is that we tend to present the best image possible to other people. But this proverb declares that a faithful person is harder to find. My Olive Tree online Hebrew dictionary says faithfulness "is used to signify the rare and beneficial quality of trustworthiness in an individual." Image is easy. Easy to project and proclaim. Easy to post and promote. But it's the life behind the image that matters most. And with the images we see today being interlaced with AI input, these images are becoming harder and harder to discern as to their legitimacy and authenticity.
I am not advocating a judgmental attitude towards all we see online. What I am advocating for is discernment, coupled with an unwillingness to buy off on everything that is projected and promoted. It's not what is posted and proclaimed, but the hidden life that is the true determinant of an individual. Someone who is truly trustworthy will have the fruit in their life. Jesus said good trees bear good fruit. So we are looking for fruit. Good fruit is the product of a good life. And fruit is not always the first thing we see.
The other side of this coin is to avoid comparisons with all that is projected. Again, we often do not have what an old-time radio personality used to call the rest of the story. But when you do find a truly kind and trustworthy person, hang on to them. They will ultimately be a blessing in your life.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be that truly reliable and trustworthy person, first of all to You and then to the people in my world.